Director of Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs Jan Vydra is very pleased with their successes.A LEADING herb grower and producer in Clyde has seen a financial growth of more than 1900 per cent in three years.
Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs currently produces more than 100,000 bunches of 17 different herbs and salad items, up from 2000 when they first began business.
They supply to major retailers, independent supermarkets, green grocers and also the hospitality industry.
Director of Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs and Australia’s Young Farmer of the Year, Jan Vydra, was recently recognised in The Age Melbourne Magazine’s annual “Top 100” list of notable Melburnians in the category “20 trailblazers in their 20s”.
City of Casey Mayor Sam Aziz said Mr Vydra’s successes and the Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs was testament to the strong and innovative business community that exists in Casey.
“Council is working to create opportunities to help businesses thrive in a competitive market and challenging economic climate,” he said.
“The City of Casey is committed to helping businesses grow and survive in these challenging times, as Casey-based businesses help increase employment and improve the lifestyle of those who live and work in the municipality by supporting a better work/life balance.”
Mr Vydra said it was a great honour to be selected in the top 100, and to be recognised for his contribution to the herb and broader farming industry.
“My business partner and I overcame many barriers when we started out,” he said.
“We persevered and, as a result, I was able to bring new ideas to the forefront, which changed processes and ultimately led to us leading the way in the industry.”
Mr Vydra is a member of the Bunyip Food Belt Primary Producers Advisory Group, which is investigating the possibility of using piped recycled water in the broader Casey-Cardinia region for agricultural use.
“My goal is to continue to grow the Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs business through innovation and development,” he said.
